On December 9, Tunbridge Wells will host its first Santa in the City Festive Fun Run. This inaugural event, put on by TFA Events, will start at 2pm in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
The 3km route for this festive family event will start in front of the basketball courts and take runners along the walking and cycle paths in the park. After completing three laps of the circuit, runners will head to the finish line back at the basketball court.
For adults, the entry fee is £14.95, which includes a festive Santa suit. Children run for free and are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite festive outfits. As an added incentive, everyone taking part will receive a commemorative medal for finishing, making this run a memorable experience for participants of all ages.
St James’ Primary School Parent, Kathryn Allen, told the Times how excited she is about the event coming to town.
“I can’t wait to bring some festive cheer to Tunbridge Wells by participating in its first-ever Santa in the City run with my kids. It’s a great way to bring the community together, enjoy some festive fitness, and contribute to important local causes. The kids are really excited too!” she said.
Santa in the City first began in London back in 2015, but after many successful years hosting the London event, Tunbridge Wells local and TFA Events Director, Rebecca Milburn told the Times that organisers felt it was the time to expand the Santa in the City Festive Fun Run to another location.
“Both myself and my business partner live in Tunbridge Wells and after seeing the success of Santa in the City in London, we knew that it would be a great idea to start an event in Tunbridge Wells. The town has a fantastic community and is very family friendly – we have seen this first hand, bringing our own kids up here – and we are keen to give something back to the town that we and our families and friends love so much.
“We really want to create a new tradition in Tunbridge Wells, bringing the whole community together, supporting local businesses, good causes and having a lot of fun at the same time.”
To help give back to the community, the organisers of the fun run have decided to offer free places in the event for runners from a few local organisations to raise money for their good causes. These organisations include: St James’ Primary School, Eagles Basketball Club, Friends of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park and St James’ Church – which is raising money for a community in Kondoa, Tanzania. The organisers say they would welcome the chance to speak to any other local charities who want to get involved – this year or next – as an event partner.
Rebecca added: “Having experienced this event previously we know it’s going to bring loads of festive fun to Tunbridge Wells. It’s an event for all ages and all abilities so everyone can get involved and it’s going to bring the community together to have a jolly good time doing something a bit silly, while also supporting some amazing and very worthwhile local causes.”
To join in the festive fun and be part of the town’s first-ever Santa in the City event, register at: santainthecity.co.uk
